Combination pack and cot

ABSTRACT

A combination pack and cot is provided by using a pack frame comprising detachable U-shaped members which serve as the legs of the cot by supporting rods fitting into notches. The pack canvas can also serve as the cot webbing.

United States Patent 1 Russell 9 [451 May 1,1973

[ COMBINATION PACK AND COT [76] lnventor: Winfield P. Russell, 27 Pine grove St., Needham Heights, Mass. 02194 22 Filed: July23, 1971 [21 Appl.No.: 165,665

52 U.S.Cl 224/9,5/114 51 Int. Cl. ..A45f3/10 58 Field Of Search ..224/8, 9, 25 R, 25 A, 224/5 R, 1O

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 ,964,222 12/1960 1 Rainwater ..224/9 2,973,888 3/1961 Beardsley ..224/9 3,464,607 9/1969 Grace et a1. ....224/9 X 3,563,431 2/1971 Pletz i ..224/25 A 3,620,428 I 1/1971 Silverthoml ..224/25 A Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Frank E. Werner Attorney.loseph Zallen 57] ABSTRACT A combination pack and cot is provided by using a pack frame comprising detachable U-shaped members which serve as the legs of the cot by supporting rods fitting into notches. The pack canvas can also serve as the cot webbing.

6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 1191s v 373040? I SHEET 1 0F 5;

' PATENTEDHAY' Hm SHEET 3 OF 3 COMBINATION PACK AND coT BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relates to a pack such as is used by a person who travels on foot, particularly in uninhabited areas such as forests, mountains and deserts. In particular it relates to a pack which can be converted to a cot without tools or fasteners of any sort.

Although foot travelers such as hikers and mountain climbers use back packs to carry their essential articles and food, it has hitherto been impractical to carry anything other than a sleeping bag for sleeping purposes. It has long been recognized that a cot such as a canvas cot, would be desirable so as to provide a comfortable overnight rest and to also elevate the person from the ground with its attendant dampness, hardness and insects. However, combination packs and cots that have been hitherto described are either excessively bulky, cumbersome or difficult to handle.

One object of this present invention is to provide a combination back pack and cot which is easily converted from one form to the other without tools or fasteners of any sort.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel back pack frame which can be used either to support a pack or act as the frame for a cot.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the description and claims which follow taken together with the appended drawings.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention comprises generally a pack frame made of a pair of detachable substantially flat, identical U-shaped members. Each of the members has at its ends tubular portions and also a notch adjacent each end and in the same orientation. The end of one member and the end of the other are detachably connected by an insert. The notches are adapted to engage a cylindrical rod.

The invention also provides a pair of cylindrical and preferably telescoping rods adapted to engage the notches and a webbing member suitable in size and shape to form the body supporting portion of the cot. The cot is formed by inserting the cylindrical rods into marginal pockets on the webbing and having the rods supported at head and foot positions in the notches of the U-shaped frame members.

The webbing, when not used as part of the cot, can serve as the outside wrapping material of the pack and is attached to the frame'by straps and the like. Conventional shoulder straps and the like are attached to the frame. The cylindrical rods can be stored in the pack. Also, where desired a conventional pack may be used in conjunction with the frame. In this event the cot webbing would be stored in the pack and the cylindrical rods could be stored either on the pack or inside it.

It is preferred to make the telescoping cylindrical rod with two extensions, one larger than the other. The notches in the frame members are made so as to register with the appropriate rod. The frame members are preferably tubular in their entire construction and made of a light weight material such as aluminum. Generally, the insert member is a rod which is attached to one end of a frame member so that when members are joined in assembling the pack the inserts register in the opposing tubular ends. No lock or fastener is required, the frame being held together by the straps normally associated with the pack.

In assembling the cot, therefore, it is only necessary to untie the straps, open the pack, pull out the rods, and separate the frame members in order to have all the es sential elements for assembly. The cot when assembled likewise has no locks or fasteners, since the weight of the person on the cot webbing forces the rods more tightly in against the'notches in the frame members.

Although this invention is not limited to any particu' lar dimensions, a useful size of the cot webbing would be a length of about 6 V2 feet, a width of about 2 /2 feet with frame members having heights of about 7 to 8 inches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a rear view with partial cutaway of the assembled pack and frame as ready to be worn and transported on the back of a traveler.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view with partial cutaway of a telescoping cylindrical rod used as a rail for the cot in closed condition.

FIG. 4 is a view of the rod of FIG. 3 on a similar scale showing the rod fully extended.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cot formed from the frame members, pair of rods and canvas webbing.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial bottom view of the lower portion of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the assembled pack shown leaning on a tree.

FIG. 9 is an exploded bottom view of the lower portion of the assembled frame.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the frame of this invention used in conjunction with a conventional pack.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF INVENTION Referring now to the drawings there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9 one example of this present invention. The illustrated combination back pack and cot comprises generally two U-shaped frame members 31 and 32 which are attached together as indicated below at their ends to form a substantially flat back pack frame. The same two frame members 31 and 32 when separated function as the support portions of the cot by holding in notches telescoping cylindrical rod members 21 and 22 which are normally stored in the pack ll. Pack 11 has canvas webbing 11a, and pocket 11d has zipper lle. The pack canvas lla not only serves as the wrapping material for the pack but also is the webbing portion of the cot 29 and is provided with cutouts llfand 11g and tubular portions llb and He formed from stitching llb and Ilc' in which the rods 21, 22 are inserted when the cot is assembled.

When the pack is mounted on the frame it is normally held on to the frame by an upper pack strap 12, and lower pack strap 13. The user has shoulder straps l5, 16 for holding the pack on his back. Pins 31a and 32a help support the pack. Thong 17 holds the shoulder straps together.

Frame members 31 and 32 are tubular adjacent their ends and provided with notches 31a, 31b, 32a and 320. For joining these ends inserts 32c and 32b are provided, such inserts being cylindrical rods attached by screws 32b to one of the frame members. Telescoping rods 21 and 22 have extensions e.g. 21b, 21c, with knurls 21b and 21e', engaging body 210.

The cot is formed by extending the cylindrical rods 21 and 22 (collectively 20 in telescoped state) to full length inserting rod members 21 and 22 into tubular portions 11b and 11c of the canvas webbing 11a and then have them engage the notches 31a, 31b, 32a and 320 of the U-shaped frame members 31 and 32. The ends of U-shaped members 31 and 32 project up through the cut-outs l lfand 1 1g.

The example of the invention illustrated in FIG. shows the same detachable frame 3132, and shoulder straps l5 and 16 and thong 17. The conventional pack 40 with rear pockets 41 and 42 is supported on the frame by the cylindrical, telescoping rods 21 and 22. The rods 21 and 22 insert into the pockets 41 and 42 and engage pins 31a and 32a. The regular straps 12 and 13 are used as well as small straps 43, 44, 45 and 46.

I claim:

1. A pack frame comprising a pair of detachable substantially flat, U-shaped members; said members having substantially identical shape and size and terminating in tubular end portions; each of said members having a notch in the outer surface adjacent each end; said members being detachably connected by inserts in said tubular end portions; each said notch being adapted to engage a cylindrical rod extending between said U- shaped members.

2. The frame of claim 1 wherein said frame members are of tubular construction.

3. The frame of claim 1 wherein said insert in permanently attached to one said member.

4. The frame of claim 1 in combination with a pair of cylindrical rods and a flexible webbing sheet; said webbing sheet having marginal tubular portions in which said rods are inserted; said U-shaped frame members being positioned with their ends upward so as to engage said rods in said notches.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said rods are made of telescoping sections.

6. The frame of claim 1 in combination with a pack and straps. 

1. A pack frame comprising a pair of detachable substantially flat, U-shaped members; said members having substantially identical shape and size and terminating in tubular end portions; each of said members having a notch in the outer surface adjacent each end; said members being detachably connected by inserts in said tubular end portions; each said notch being adapted to engage a cylindrical rod extending between said U-shaped members.
 2. The frame of claim 1 wherein said frame members are of tubular construction.
 3. The frame of claim 1 wherein said insert in permanently attached to one said member.
 4. The frame of claim 1 in combination with a pair of cylindrical rods and a flexible webbing sheet; said webbing sheet having marginal tubular portions in which said rods are inserted; said U-shaped frame members being positioned with their ends upward so as to engage said rods in said notches.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said rods are made of telescoping sections.
 6. The frame of claim 1 in combination with a pack and straps. 